Iowa City Bird Club

Indiangrass Hills in Iowa County for breeding grassland birds.   Leader Mark Brown will guide us through this 640-acre restored prairie which is designated an important bird area.   https://www.indiangrasshills.org/igh.php  Expect to see Henslow’s Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Sedge Wrens, Orchard Orioles, Bobolinks and more.  There will be extensive walking on mowed grass paths which may be wet.  Don’t forget… Read More Field Trip: Indiangrass Hills in Iowa County for breeding grassland birds.

 July 17, Sunday, 4p.m.  Iowa City Bird Club Potluck Picnic at Lake Macbride.  Located at Sailboat Shelter #1 at the north end of Sail Boat Road NE, Solon, near the south shore of the north arm of the lake.  Restrooms are nearby. Enjoy the company of old and new birding friends with picnic foods and a beautiful park ambience. Bring… Read More Bird Club Potluck Picnic

July 23, Saturday, Iowa City Butterfly Count.  Now in its 24th year, the local count is part of the North American Butterfly Association’s Fourth of July Butterfly Count program.  We’ll visit Kent Park, Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, Lake Macbride, and other areas totally as many butterfly species and individuals as we can find.  To participate, contact Chris Edwards… Read More Iowa City Butterfly Count

August 14, Sunday, 8 a.m.  Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area for shorebirds and other early fall migrants. Meet leader Chris Caster at the HWMA parking lot on Swan Lake Road, across from Swan Lake(GPS coordinates 41.776081, 91.675009).  We will carpool (carpooling only for those vaccinated for COVID) our way around Hawkeye Wildlife Area. Expect moderate hiking at some viewing areas.  Dress… Read More Field Trip: Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area

Labor Day Weekend is the Cy-Hawk Big Day Challenge. It’s the Iowa City Hawkeyes (Iowa City Bird Club) vs. Ames Cyclones (Big Bluestem Audubon Society), in a competition to find the most bird species.  Birders from across Iowa can participate with either team in the designated area. Last year BBAS found a whopping 142 species to… Read More Cy-Hawk Big Day Challenge

Annual Pelican Festival. View these magnificent birds through provided scopes. Attend lectures and view booths of local and state wildlife organizations. Location:  2564 Amana Road NW, Swisher events are free. For more information see below:   

September15, Thursday, 7 p.m.  Zoom Meeting.  LukeHart of The R.A.R.E. Group will present “Hawks and Owls Seen More Commonlyduring Migration and the Winter Season.”Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89571321474?pwd=eWg3R2FGaERWUXQ3VUFtR2pleVQwUT09Meeting ID: 895 7132 1474Passcode: 295742

Our speaker will be Luke Hart, of The R.A.R.E. Group. R.A.R.E. stands for Raptor Advocacy Rehabilitation and Education. The R.A.R.E. Group is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of birds of prey throughout Iowa. Luke’s presentation will be about hawks and owls seen more commonly during migration and the winter season. More on the… Read More Bird Club Meeting and Lecture: Virtual

September 16-18, Friday-Sunday. Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Fall Meeting at Camp Abe Lincoln near the Quad Cities. See birds in Scott County and connect with birders from around the state. The weekend includes field trips on Saturday and Sunday mornings, presentations on Saturday afternoon, and a keynote speaker at the Saturday evening meal.Field trip destinations include Big Sand,… Read More Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Fall Meeting

September 18, Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Hawk Watch at Stainbrook Preserve, located along Mehaffey Bridge Road just north of Sugar Bottom Recreation Area. Join us on the hill to watch for migrating raptors including Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk. Bring a lawn chair, and a spotting scope if you… Read More Hawk Watch at Stainbrook Preserve